06-22-2018, 01:42 AM
I think you'd find the CB to be very smooth at the speeds you prefer to ride. It's a low-revving engine at speed and not frantic. I'm like you -- I avoid freeways and rarely see speeds above 70-75 mph. For this type of riding, the CB is smooth, solid, composed, and completely within its element. I call my '14 the "velvet hammer."
I must offer a different opinion about 4-cylinder BMW's. The earliest K-bikes (from the late-80's) were indeed quite buzzy. And hot. My '98 K1200RS, also a 4-cylinder, is by far the smoothest motorcycle I've ever ridden. Unless you watch the tachometer, you won't know if you're at 3,000 rpm or 6,000 rpm. It's electric-smooth. The CB is a paint-shaker by comparison (though it's absolutely not a paint-shaker!). I haven't ridden the more recent transverse 4-cylinder K1200S or K1300S, but from what I've read, they don't have vibration issues either.
I must offer a different opinion about 4-cylinder BMW's. The earliest K-bikes (from the late-80's) were indeed quite buzzy. And hot. My '98 K1200RS, also a 4-cylinder, is by far the smoothest motorcycle I've ever ridden. Unless you watch the tachometer, you won't know if you're at 3,000 rpm or 6,000 rpm. It's electric-smooth. The CB is a paint-shaker by comparison (though it's absolutely not a paint-shaker!). I haven't ridden the more recent transverse 4-cylinder K1200S or K1300S, but from what I've read, they don't have vibration issues either.